Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Cuirfidh mé fáilte roimh Bhríd agus roimh an chlann ar fad atá anseo linn inniu, agus roimh a chomhghleacaithe dáilcheantair, an Teachta Ruairí O'Hanlon, an tAire, an Teachta Brenda Smith agus an Teachta Margaret Conlon. Táimid anseo chun slán a fhágáil agus raiteas a chur ar an taifead maidir leis an méid atá déanta ar son na tíre seo ag Séamus Dolan. He was a Gaeilgeoir from start to finish agus aon uair a bhuail mé leis, bhí Gaeilge chun tosaigh aige and we always had a few words as Gaeilge. Na focail mholta a bhíonn againn ag uaire mar seo, níl siad chomh tábhachtach agus an méid atá ar eolas againn faoin fhear féin agus an méid atá déanta ar son tíre aige le linn na blianta fada.

Tá sé tábhachtach cur ar an taifead an méid atá déanta agus bainte amach aige mar sin féin. Born in Fermanagh in 1914, I always thought Séamus had the same solid countryman's common sense approach to the world that I saw in the late Gordon Wilson. They were solid as a rock and one felt one would not be able to turn them around easily.

Séamus lived out the rest of his life in County Cavan, but before he went into politics bhí sé ina mhúinteoir náisiúnta agus thosaigh sé ag múineadh i mBéal Tairbirt, áit ina raibh sé an-chairdiúil le cara liom féin, Jimmy McArdle, a bhí ag an am sin mar vice president of the INTO during that period. I would have come across him at the time and acknowledge his courtesy towards me when I was a young — I was young once before I became a national treasure — INTO activist in 1981. He welcomed me to the Houses with a number of others and listened to our contributions. I cannot recall the important issue we raised at the time. It might have been the school entry age or one of the issues that arose in the early 1980s, but he gave us a great welcome, of which I was very appreciative. Is cuimhin liom ag an bpointe sin san INTO bhímid an-bhródiúil ar fad mar nuair a bhí Séamus anseo mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad, in the other House, bhí Pádraig Faulkner ina Cheann Comhairle. The union had the Speakers of both Houses at the time, which was an important one for us.

Séamus was elected to the county council on which he made a major contribution. He went on to become a Deputy, about which others have spoken, then a Senator and, ina dhiadh sin, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann.

Tá sé tábhachtach é seo a rá to his family, in particular. As public representatives, we know it is not just about the commitment an individual Deputy, Senator, county councillor or Minister makes. What we understand better than anybody else is that his or her family must also make a huge contribution. Part of what we are doing involves thanking Séamus's immediate family — his wife, children and grandchildren. We hope they will recognise the importance of the contribution he made which could not have been made without the support they gave him which was without limits and judgment. We all know that, as public representatives, we stand to be criticised. That is part of the political and democratic system and a good thing, but those of us present always recognise that even our most bitter political opponents make huge efforts, of which their extended families are part. It is important that they recognise this and that the function of democracy will fall apart if there are not people prepared to put their names on the ballot paper. Séamus's family facilitated him in that regard, for which we say go raibh míle maith agaibh to Bríd, in particular, but also to his extended family.

I will conclude with a personal word. Senator Dolan made a contribution as a teacher, politician and citizen. I wish to record the courtesy he extended to me as a young unknown INTO activist as well as the pleasure I got when I navigated my boat through the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal, knowing the contribution of people like him to making it happen. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.